Provisional cast on

Take your working yarn and some waste yarn – preferably in a contrasting colour so that it’s easy to see. It’s best to use waste yarn of the same or heavier weight than your working yarn, if possible (it just makes it a bit easier to pick the stitches up later). Tie a knot joining the waste yarn and the working yarn. Holding the two strands in place with the working yarn nearest to you begin the following sequence.

When you have the required number of stitches turn the work, holding the waste yarn in place and knit across the stitches.